Who to start · 2025-26
Pavel Buchnevich vs Robert Thomas
Blending 2025-26 with 2026-27 so far, Robert Thomas projects to 1.89 fantasy points per game under ESPN default scoring to Pavel Buchnevich's 1.30.
Buchnevich had 48 points in 81 games; Thomas had 64 in 64 games.
This week Buchnevich has 1 game left with 1 soft matchup; Thomas has 1 left. We project Thomas for 1.9 ESPN points to Buchnevich's 1.5.
Robert Thomas has the better number in 29 of the 36 stats both are ranked on.
Buchnevich's biggest edges: Hardest shot 88.9, Shots on goal 142, Hits 30.
Thomas's biggest edges: Top skating speed 23.3, Plus/minus +22, Faceoff win % 52.5%.
- • 2026-27 so far: 1 GP, 0 G, 0 A, 0 PPP, 0 SOG.
- • 2026-27 so far: 1 GP, 0 G, 0 A, 0 PPP, 0 SOG.
Fantasy value: your scoring
Pavel Buchnevich
1.30
fantasy points per game
Robert Thomas
1.89
fantasy points per game
Under ESPN default points, Robert Thomas has the edge.
| Points per game from | Buchnevich | Thomas |
|---|---|---|
| Goals (+2) | 0.46 | 0.73 |
| Assists (+1) | 0.32 | 0.57 |
| Power-play points (+0.5) | 0.08 | 0.10 |
| Shorthanded points (+0.5) | 0.00 | 0.02 |
| Shots on goal (+0.1) | 0.16 | 0.15 |
| Hits (+0.1) | 0.03 | 0.01 |
| Blocks (+0.5) | 0.23 | 0.29 |
Per-game rates from the selected sample; blended mixes last season with this season, weighting this season more as games are played. Categories are scored as z-scores against qualified players at the same position. Your custom weights are saved in this browser only.
Head-to-head: Buchnevich vs Thomas
Every event between them in NHL play-by-play, 2018-19 to 2026-27: games against each other, faceoffs, shots on goal, hits and penalties. Regular season and playoffs.
Buchnevich 1G 3A, 7 SOG · Thomas 0G 0A, 4 SOG
Buchnevich blocked 3 of Thomas's shots; Thomas blocked 1 of Buchnevich's.
Goals each scored with the other picking up an assist (as teammates).
On the ice together
330:57 at 5-on-5 over 36 games, 2025-26 to 2026-27
- Shot attempts
- 290–303
- 48.9%
- Expected goals
- 15.4–13.9
- 52.5%
- Goals
- 17–16
Games against each other
| Date | Score | Buchnevich | Thomas |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2020-03-03 | NYR 1–3 STL | 0G 1A 2S | 0G 0A 0S |
| 2020-01-11 | NYR 2–5 STL | 0G 1A 2S | 0G 0A 2S |
| 2019-03-29 | NYR 4–2 STL | 1G 1A 3S | 0G 0A 1S |
| 2018-12-31 | NYR 2–1 STL | 0G 0A 0S | 0G 0A 1S |
Every stat, side by side
Season values; bars are percentiles at each player's position (longer is better). Click a stat for its explainer.
Fantasy box score
Possession & shot quality (5-on-5 on-ice)
Transition, turnovers & faceoffs
Usage
Special teams & discipline
This week's schedule
Sep 28 to Oct 4. More games usually wins a weekly start/sit. Chips show how many fantasy points the opponent allows to the player's position (soft or tough), the Schedule Edge from rest and travel, and the likely opposing goalie with his save percentage. Projections use ESPN default points for the games left.
Pavel Buchnevich
2games (1 left)
1.5proj. ESPN pts
- Fri, Oct 2 @ DALOpp allows 11th-most FP to LWLikely vs Jake Oettinger (.899)
- Sat, Oct 3 @ COLB2B1.5 ptsOpp allows 7th-most FP to LWSchedule edge −13.4 win%Likely vs Scott Wedgewood (.921)
Robert Thomas
2games (1 left)
1.9proj. ESPN pts
- Fri, Oct 2 @ DALOpp allows 3rd-most FP to CLikely vs Jake Oettinger (.899)
- Sat, Oct 3 @ COLB2B1.9 ptsOpp allows 13th-most FP to CSchedule edge −13.4 win%Likely vs Scott Wedgewood (.921)
Similar matchups
FAQ
- Should I start Pavel Buchnevich or Robert Thomas in fantasy hockey?
- Blending 2025-26 with 2026-27 so far, Robert Thomas projects to 1.89 fantasy points per game under ESPN default scoring to Pavel Buchnevich's 1.30. Buchnevich had 48 points in 81 games; Thomas had 64 in 64 games. Check this week's games and your league's scoring in the fantasy panel above, since more games usually decide a weekly start.
- Who is better, Pavel Buchnevich or Robert Thomas?
- On 2025-26 numbers, Robert Thomas leads in 29 of 36 stats where both qualify, from scoring and power-play production to on-ice shot share and NHL EDGE tracking.
- How have Buchnevich and Thomas done against each other?
- In 4 games against each other in our data, Buchnevich's team went 2–2. Buchnevich had 4 points (1 goals) and Thomas had 0 (0 goals).
2025-26 regular season from NHL play-by-play, shift charts and NHL EDGE, processed by Edgehalla. Head-to-head covers every loaded season (play-by-play from 2019-20; on-ice matchups from 2025-26).Compare other players →